Kaise Hua : A Tale of Two Imperfects

Chapter 2

Lo Main Qayamat, Tak Hua Tera..

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Riddhima continued the class with the quiz while the children replied enthusiastically.

After the period was over, she carried her books and went to the staff room and gulped down some water from her bottle while sitting on her chair and looking outside the nearby window.

The cold breeze coming from outside kissed her cheeks as her hair conflicted at the sudden intimation and started to flow freely.

She, very delicately, tugged them behind her ear and her small jhumkas made a sound in the process. She closed the water bottle and unlocked her phone to see three missed calls from Mrs. Daruwala.

Mrs. Daruwala was the owner of the house in which Riddhima had rented a room in the upper floor. She was an extremely kind lady who loved Riddhima like her own parents.

She had shifted here an year back and was looking for a room to live in, when she met the sweet-hearted lady and she offered Riddhima to live in her son's room upstairs, who had shifted to abroad for his further studies. Staying in a home of Parsis, Riddhima was less stressed about making meals after Mrs. Daruwala had sternly yet lovingly asked her to share the table for meals and she couldn't adore the lady more.

She frowned at seeing her calls at this time, when she obviously knew she would be taking classes. She called her back to hear a squealing voice, "Ohh Riddhi my child!"

She chuckled at her over-excited voice and replied smiling, "Yes aunty. How did you call me at this time? (frowning) Everything okay at home?"

"You'll know that once you come home my pretty daughter!" She told sweetly and Riddhima glanced at her watch which showed that it was 15 minutes left for the school to get over.

"Okay aunty, I'll join you for lunch. Take care." She bid bye and disconnected the call. She then, checked all the pending notebooks and kept them on the table. She did all the paperwork that was required to be done till the end of the day, went to the reception to complete the usual formalities and it was almost 3 till then, so she left for home by her Activa.

"Aunty!" She entered the home and called Mrs. Daruwala who came out of the kitchen, carrying a dish in both her hands. She was a beautiful lady in mid sixties, who had worn a white saree with pink floral print, a pearl necklace, her hair had a boy-cut and she was effortlessly carrying a genuine smile on her face as she welcomed Riddhima inside.

"I'm so happy beta I can't explain you!" She held Riddhima's arms and twirled lightly with her. Riddhima giggled at her enthusiasm while exclaiming, "I can see that aunty, but what exactly is it?"

"Let me tell you that!" A manly voice made her turn around. Mr. Daruwala was coming out from his room while shaking his head at her child-like wife who was smiling widely. He was a man in early 70s and looked very disciplined by personality. He smiled and neared them while breaking the news to her, "Aakash (their son) has finally decided to shift us to US permanently with him."

Riddhima smiled in surprise while hugging Mrs. Daruwala, "That's a great news aunty. Congratulations to both of you!"

The lady hugged her back. They separated after sometime and Riddhima congratulated him as well.

Mrs. Daruwala then dragged Riddhima to the table, opening all the dishes for her. The aroma hit Riddhima's senses and she began to happily have the meal with the old couple as they chatted about their further plans to shift and ship the material.

Mr. Daruwala signalled Mrs. Daruwala to say something. Her smile faltered as she started to play with the food in her plate. As Riddhima noticed the change in atmosphere, she looked at them quizzically.

"Kya hua? Abhi to aap dono kitne khush the?" Riddhima asked, looking at both of them.

"Umm.." Mr. Daruwala was cut by his wife, "Actually... bachche we both have decided to rent the whole home to you in our absence."

She said with a small smile but it didn't reflect back on Riddhima's face. She was a girl with self-respect and didn't accept favours from anybody. Being an overthinker, it didn't take her a minute to analyse that they both might not have been able to decide to ask her to leave, which is why they might have taken this decision.

"I am sorry uncle. Sorry aunty. But I cannot do this. Handling a home is a big opportunity. After my stressful hours at school, I don't think I'll be able to dedicate my time to maintain this home." She politely denied while the couple sighed at her adamant nature.

"Child, you don't need to worry about that. A househelp will be appointed-"

"I am sorry aunty. I still cannot accept this. I am really happy for both of you, but I will seriously not be able to stay here in your absence. (As Mr. Daruwala tried to interrupt) And don't worry, I'll find a space for myself. I anyway don't have any huge demands. I'll easily manage." She said, trying to maintain her serene smile. Denials are always difficult.

They didn't pester her anymore and she had her food and left for her room after thanking Mrs. Daruwala for the food. She directly slumped on her bed in her room while closing her eyes for a moment before deciding to change her clothes and work further.

She quickly did the same and opened her laptop to start working. Riddhima was employed but she was a very passionate and workaholic individual and always seeked more opportunities, which is why, she had started to freelance some months back and just sometime back, she had started to get some contracts for content writing.

After the day came to an end, Raj hung his bag to his side while exiting the cabin of the superior. Diksha and Ritik were already there waiting for him. The three of them were just some blocks away from each other's house. Diksha didn't know how to ride a two-wheeler and so, Ritik gave her a lift to office and back home, while Raj travelled individually. 

Okay, maybe, just maybe, he wanted the back seat to be occupied only by his soulmate before someone else.

A/n: Well, I hope Raj's ideology doesn't sound really cheesy to you. If it does, please throw those sounds out of the window coz he's really sweet <3

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